University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
Illinois
Women's Soccer Topples Illinois, 2-1, In Double Overtime
9/3/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Sept. 3, 2010
STORRS, Conn. - The University of Connecticut women's soccer team needed someone to propel the Huskies to their first victory of the season and junior Jessica Shufelt (Rochester, N.Y.) filled the position. Three minutes and eight seconds into the second overtime, Shufelt buried her second goal of the game to give UConn a 2-1 victory over visiting Illinois at Joseph J. Morrone Stadium. With the win, Connecticut stands at 1-2-1 on the season while Illinois falls to 3-1.
After entering double overtime for the fourth time in as many games to open the season, Connecticut needed some late-game heroics from its leading scorer to earn its first victory in 2010. Sophomore Melissa Busque (St. Bruno, Quebec) took a pass on the left sideline 10 yards past half. After winning a physical battle with an Illinois defender for possession, Busque gave a square pass to senior captain Elise Fugowski (Stockholm, N.J.) 30 yards from goal. Fugowski slid a through-ball into the path of Shufelt at the top of the box who calmly placed her shot into the right corner under the diving Illinois goalkeeper to secure the victory. It marked Shufelt's second tally of the game.
The Huskies opened the game with a scoring chance just 3:35 into the contest. Busque found space between the two Illinois center backs and took a touch towards goal at the top of the box. She looked to be in all alone with Illinois goalkeeper Steph Panazzo but an Illinois defender made a sliding tackle to deny the breakaway attempt.
Illinois nearly opened the scoring at 15:35 when freshman standout Vanessa DiBernardo fired a free kick from 20 yards out off the cross bar. The Illini had the better of play for the majority of the first half, possessing the ball in the UConn end for much of the time. The Huskies were playing very direct, looking for long balls over the top of the Illinois back line. The direct approach was able to generate more shots on frame for Connecticut as the Huskies forced long-range shots from Illinois in the opening 45.
Illinois outshot UConn, 5-2, in the opening half but the Huskies had the edge in shots on frame, 2-1.
After a scoreless first half, UConn opened the scoring at 53:47 when Shufelt blasted a shot from 20 yards out off the bottom of the cross bar and in behind Illinois goalkeeper Alexandra Kapicka for her second goal of the season. Busque controlled the ball at the top-right corner of the box and touched a pass to Shufelt to earn the assist.
UConn senior Kacey Richards (Williamstown, N.J.) kept the score at 1-0 in favor of the Huskies when she saved an Illinois header off the goal line at 69:40. Illinois finally broke through at 72:30 when Jordan Hilbrands redirected a header into the left side of the net following an Illinois corner kick.
Dulski made her biggest save of the day when she dove to her left to stop another Illinois header from eight yards out with only 14:50 remaining.
After 90 minutes of soccer, Illinois held the edge in shots, 16-7, and corners, 8-0. The Huskies held a slight advantage with five shots on frame compared to Illinois' 3.
UConn pressured Illinois throughout the overtime periods leading to Shufelt's game winner. At 2:35 of the first overtime, sophomore Linda Ruutu (Espoo, Finland) found space at the top left corner of the box and bent a shot towards the far post that was saved by the Illinois goalkeeper. Shufelt would finish it off 3:08 into the second overtime.
UConn goalkeeper Jessica Dulski (Pittsford, N.Y.) finished the game with 6 saves to earn her first victory of the season.
Connecticut is back in action when they host No. 16 Penn State at Morrone Stadium on Sunday, September 5 at 1 p.m. Admission is free for all UConn students and the first 100 students receive a free UConn T-Shirt.
